Diandra Reviews It All- Interviews Dempsey Hope: Making Music In Love

Diandra: How has falling in love changed how you write music? What has your music shown you about who you are when in love?

Dempsey Hope: Falling in love gives a sense of optimism in my music, but it’s also opened the door to an endless amount of emotions to tap into. Being in love comes with good and bad times, which can both be inspiring in their own sort.
Dempsey Hope – Time Flies (Official Video)

Diandra: What is the most romantic thing you have done and has been done for you?

Dempsey Hope: When I was 16 I set up a full scavenger hunt around the city of Seattle for my girlfriend Kassidy’s birthday. It included a picnic on the waterfront at Gasworks Park, a trip to the ferris wheel, some molly moons ice cream, and more.

The most romantic thing that’s ever been done for me would have to be when Kassidy came to visit me in LA. I had been living there for a couple months trying to get comfortable when she came to see me. Over that trip we started officially dating and I decided I wanted to move back to Seattle with her. Without even questioning it, she skipped her flight home, stayed an extra 2 weeks, and drove home to Seattle with me just to make sure I was coming. I love that girl.
Dempsey Hope – Elephant In The Room (Official Video) ft. gnash

Diandra: Using music to spread optimistic vibes, what is the positive message of your music and how do you feel it will radiate in these times?

Dempsey Hope: I think a big thing that comes out of my music is encouraging people to be open and vulnerable with their feelings. I tell people all the time that it feels better when you can talk to someone about your problems, especially in times like these when we’re all so alone every day.

Diandra: With your favorite food being chicken and waffles, what do you feel is the “salt” of life (chicken) and the “sweet” (waffles)?

Dempsey Hope: Well, life comes with ups and downs; no matter where you’re from or what you do. Stress is always going to be present and necessary to make the sweet things of life that much better. So to answer your questions, I think stress is the salt and life is the sweet of life.

Diandra: Having recorded your first song at 11, what was it about and do you remember your favorite lyric from it?

Dempsey Hope: It was about basketball, the song was called “Gametime”. It went like… “Gametime, boy I stay ballin’, I keep my game tight, yeah i stay ballin’, i go so hard to the paint with this!” It’s a hit, might re-release that at some point ;).

Diandra: Having done music for so long, on your own, what was the most difficult aspect to learning how to self-create, and how has being signed made things easier?

Dempsey Hope: I think that learning how to do things on my own is what got me here. I needed to be able to figure out how I could work on music whenever I wanted and not depend on anyone else. The label has done nothing but put amazing people behind me to help portray my creative vision. I’m stoked to be a part of such a supportive team. Dempsey Hope – Commitment Issues

Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory with music and family?

Dempsey Hope: I have a plethora of memories of just listening to my mom and dad’s music on a cd player and bouncing and dancing around the living room with my family, we’re like that, we get down! My dad always plays his favorite records on Christmas, ‘James Brown Funky Christmas’ is a family favorite; if you haven’t listened to it, you’re missin’ out.

Diandra: You want to encourage people to pursue what they love. When did you decide or know music was your fate?

Dempsey Hope: I think around junior year of high school when I started getting back into music I could see how good it made me feel. I don’t think I decided I think I just knew when I started putting music on Soundcloud, my senior year, that I really loved doing this.
Dempsey Hope – 3 years (official lyric video)

Diandra: If you could go back to any time period to hang out with anyone in the universe, to when and where would you go and what would you talk about with that person?

Dempsey Hope: I would love to hang out with the Beatles and just watch the process. Anything I could do to understand where their inspiration came from and why they did what they did more would be amazing. They are one of my biggest influences, I could geek out on the Beatles forever.

Diandra: If there was a book you could transfer into song, which would it be? From what character’s perspective would you sing it?

Dempsey Hope: Oh man, I don’t even remember the characters, but i think the movie would have to be “Bridge to Terabithia;” that movie was so unique. There was a forest that led to another world, to me, it was the perfect portrayal of the imagination.